Chimney Rock tour promotes healthy lifestyles

Taking a break to talk about the site, students and teachers stop midway along the hike toward the twin rock formations.
Kaycee Jefferson (right), along with her mom Tristian Benally, who points out landmarks on the distant horizon, were among the student group that reached the uppermost Chimney Rock sites.
Taking in the expansive view, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives and U.S. Forest Service officials stand with Jodi Gillette
Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, gave opening remarks before young students and visiting dignitaries on Wednesday, May 1 at the recently designated Chimney Rock National Monument.
Students explore the various archeological sites throughout the Chimney Rock area.
Standing together to commemorate the event (left to right): Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs; Southern Ute Chairman Jimmy R. Newton Jr.; and Butch Blazer, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment.
Students, teachers and family stand together as an interpretive guide gives some historical context on one of the many kivas unearthed throughout the Pueblo site.
Embarking on a daylong field trip
Following the tour, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives prepared a traditional Native American meal of stew and oven bread for lunch
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Taking a break to talk about the site, students and teachers stop midway along the hike toward the twin rock formations.
Kaycee Jefferson (right), along with her mom Tristian Benally, who points out landmarks on the distant horizon, were among the student group that reached the uppermost Chimney Rock sites.
Taking in the expansive view, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives and U.S. Forest Service officials stand with Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs, on the ridgeline leading up to Chimney Rock’s archeological sites, remnants of the ancestral Puebloans who once made this area their home.
Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, gave opening remarks before young students and visiting dignitaries on Wednesday, May 1 at the recently designated Chimney Rock National Monument.
Students explore the various archeological sites throughout the Chimney Rock area.
Standing together to commemorate the event (left to right): Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs; Southern Ute Chairman Jimmy R. Newton Jr.; and Butch Blazer, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment.
Students, teachers and family stand together as an interpretive guide gives some historical context on one of the many kivas unearthed throughout the Pueblo site.
Embarking on a daylong field trip, representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, and Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council came together at Chimney Rock National Monument on Wednesday, May 1 to join students from Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy as part of the national Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative, a get-fit program spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Following the tour, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives Aaron Lowden, Chas Robles and Dakota Lorenzo from Acama Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo prepared a traditional Native American meal of stew and oven bread for lunch, served under the shade of ponderosa pines. The meal was the culmination of the day’s cultural activities, further promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Thumbnail image of Taking a break to talk about the site, students and teachers stop midway along the hike toward the twin rock formations.
Thumbnail image of Kaycee Jefferson (right), along with her mom Tristian Benally, who points out landmarks on the distant horizon, were among the student group that reached the uppermost Chimney Rock sites.
Thumbnail image of Taking in the expansive view, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives and U.S. Forest Service officials stand with Jodi Gillette
Thumbnail image of Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, gave opening remarks before young students and visiting dignitaries on Wednesday, May 1 at the recently designated Chimney Rock National Monument.
Thumbnail image of Students explore the various archeological sites throughout the Chimney Rock area.
Thumbnail image of Standing together to commemorate the event (left to right): Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs; Southern Ute Chairman Jimmy R. Newton Jr.; and Butch Blazer, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment.
Thumbnail image of Students, teachers and family stand together as an interpretive guide gives some historical context on one of the many kivas unearthed throughout the Pueblo site.
Thumbnail image of Embarking on a daylong field trip
Thumbnail image of Following the tour, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives prepared a traditional Native American meal of stew and oven bread for lunch
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Thu May 16th, 2013 , by Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, and Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council gathered at the base of Chimney Rock National Monument on Wednesday, May 1 to welcome a busload of Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy students as part of the national Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative.

“The reason we are doing this is for you,” said Susan Johnson, regional tribal relations program manager for the Department of Agriculture, addressing the youth.

The group, aided by interpretive guides, took a full tour of the archeological site, culminating on the high ridge with breathtaking views of the prominent twin towers.

“It’s important that we show some respect for those who walked here before us,” Southern Ute Chairman Jimmy R. Newton Jr. said during his welcome remarks.

“I was quite honored when President Obama worked with local folks here [to designate this site],” said Butch Blazer, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment. “It’s you [children] that are going to keep this place special. … I am honored to be here with you today.”

Jodi Gillette, Obama’s senior policy advisor for Native American affairs and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said Michelle Obama — who has spearheaded the Let’s Move! Campaign — wants to reduce and eventually eliminate obesity.

The Chimney Rock event marked the second anniversary of the federal initiative.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Gillette said of her time working for the White House. “I am really pleased to serve the president and the people around him. … There is a lot of support for Indian County and an effort to make better relations with sovereign nations.”

Following the tour, Southwest Conservation Corps representatives Aaron Lowden, Chas Robles and Dakota Lorenzo from Acama Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo prepared a traditional Native American meal of stew and oven bread for lunch.

Later in the afternoon, the visiting dignitaries met with the Tribal Council. Gillette said due to its work toward self-determination, the Southern Utes have “a reputation for being a partner with the national government.”

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